So my 5 yo nephew and 3 yo niece are visiting me for the week. The 3 yo is a jewel but the 5 yo is a pain in the ass. I think that part of the problem is that his parents are going through a divorce. I am usually very good with little boys since I love playing games and sports and also playing with toys. We have been taking them to do things they have never done before like the Zoo and the beach. Also we took them to the children's park and go swimming at our pool.

The biggest issue is that when you talk to him, he pretends not to hear you or just ignores you. Therefore he doesn't listen to you when you tell him to do something or not do something. It's frustrating because we are trying really hard to make sure that they have a fun and memorable time but he is not responding positively. I don't want to discipline him because obviously he isn't my kid and I don't want to offend his grandparents (my parents) who are essentially raising him. What is an effective way to deal with this kid?

"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." ~George Carlin

I believe Lucy Van Pelt said it best when she said: "I'll give you five good reasons." In this case it would be five good reasons to listen to you.

Having been a child myself, what hammered me was losing privileges. I'm guessing some children beg for a spanking when their DVD player is removed or special event is cancelled. Unfortunately it's hard to take away privileges for a guest Maybe try some of the techniques used on SuperNanny? I love that bia

As for the 19-year old, are they living with you? Revoke privileges, stop bankrolling, charge money, and if all else fails, eviction. If they don't live with you it's out of your hands.

Can you tell I don't have, and don't plan to have, kids?

“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” --Henry David Thoreau

Kids with siblings need one on one time with a parent. This is especially true of older kids when the younger cuter sib gets most of the attention. My son loves his little sister but he is very happy to get one on one attention and he goes through the roof if he gets both of us to himself. They only need this once in a while.

Yoda (picks up the phone with kid in room): "Yo S.C., Yoda here. How are the toys coming? How am I? I've been better, I have a 5 y.o. who is a little too big for his britches. I think I am going to need to request a flyby."